What is the first moral precept of Buddhism?

What is the first moral precept of Buddhism?

Author: Nicholas Bright Haight May 3, 2025 Duration: 19:31

Bright on Buddhism Episode 112 - What is the first moral precept of Buddhism? What is its significance? How have interpretations of it changed over time?

Resources: Dundas, Paul (2002) [1992]. The Jains (Second ed.). Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-26605-5.; Fitzgerald, James L., ed. (2004). The Mahabharata. Vol. 7. The University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-25250-7.; Laidlaw, James (1995). Riches and Renunciation: Religion, economy, and society among the Jains. Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 0-19-828031-9.; Sarao, Karam Tej S. (1989). The Origin and Nature of Ancient Indian Buddhism. New Delhi: Eastern Book Linkers.; Schmidt, Hanns Peter (1968). "The Origin of Ahimsa". Mélanges d'Indianisme à la mémoire de Louis Renou. Paris: Boccard.; Sethia, Tara (2004). Ahiṃsā, Anekānta and Jainism. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-2036-4.; Tähtinen, Unto (1964). Non-violence as an ethical principle: with particular reference to the views of Mahatma Gandhi. Turku: Turun Yliopisto. OCLC 4288274.; Tähtinen, Unto (1976). Ahiṃsā: non-violence in Indian tradition. London: Rider. ISBN 0-09-123340-2.; Talageri, Shrikant (2000). The Rigveda: A Historical Analysis. India: AdityaPrakashan. ISBN 81-7742-010-0.; Talageri (2010). Rigveda and the Avesta: The Final Evidence. India.; Wiley, Kristi L. (2006). "Ahimsa and Compassion in Jainism". In Peter Flügel (ed.). Studies in Jaina History and Culture. London.; Winternitz, Moriz (1993). History of Indian Literature: Buddhist & Jain Literature. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-0265-0.; Alarid, Leanne Fiftal; Wang, Hsiao-Ming (2001), "Mercy and Punishment: Buddhism and the Death Penalty", Social Justice, 28 (1 (83)): 231–47, JSTOR 29768067; Bodhi, Bhikkhu (2005), "In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon", Simon and Schuster; Edelglass, William (2013), "Buddhist Ethics and Western Moral Philosophy" (PDF), in Emmanuel, Steven M. (ed.), A Companion to Buddhist Philosophy (1st ed.), Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 476–90, ISBN 978-0-470-65877-2, archived from the original (PDF) on March 16, 2015; Harvey, Peter (2000), An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics: Foundations, Values and Issues (PDF), Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0-511-07584-1, archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-04-12, retrieved 2018-11-29; Horigan, D.P. (1996), "Of Compassion and Capital Punishment: A Buddhist Perspective on the Death Penalty", American Journal of Jurisprudence, 41: 271–288, doi:10.1093/ajj/41.1.271; Kaza, Stephanie (2000), "Overcoming the Grip of Consumerism", Buddhist-Christian Studies, 20: 23–42, doi:10.1353/bcs.2000.0013, JSTOR 1390317, S2CID 1625439; Keown, Damien (2003), A Dictionary of Buddhism, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-157917-2; Keown, Damien (2012), "Are There Human Rights in Buddhism?", in Husted, Wayne R.; Keown, Damien; Prebish, Charles S. (eds.), Buddhism and Human Rights, Routledge, pp. 15–42, ISBN 978-1-136-60310-5; Keown, Damien (2013), "Buddhism and Biomedical Issues" (PDF), in Emmanuel, Steven M. (ed.), A Companion to Buddhist Philosophy (1st ed.), Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 613–30, ISBN 978-0-470-65877-2, archived from the original (PDF) on March 16, 2015; Keown, Damien (2016a), "Buddhism and Abortion: Is There a 'Middle Way'?", in Keown, Damien (ed.), Buddhism and Abortion, Macmillan Press, pp. 199–218, doi:10.1007/978-1-349-14178-4, ISBN 978-1-349-14178-4; Keown, Damien (2016b), Buddhism and Bioethics, Springer Nature, ISBN 978-1-349-23981-8

Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by emailing us at Bright.On.Buddhism@gmail.com.

Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer, Co-HostProven Paradox: Editing, mixing and mastering, social media, Voice of Hermit, Co-Host



Nicholas Bright Haight brings his academic background and personal curiosity to each episode of Bright On Buddhism. As a scholar of East Asian Buddhism currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Religion, with a specialization in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist architecture, Nick approaches these conversations with both depth and accessibility. The discussions unfold in a relaxed, question-and-answer style, making often complex philosophical and historical ideas feel approachable and immediately relevant. You’ll hear explorations that draw from his specific research areas, like Japanese Buddhist historical responses to cultural shifts, while also addressing the broader, timeless questions at the heart of the tradition. This isn’t a formal lecture series, but rather a thoughtful dialogue meant for anyone with an interest in how these ancient teachings intersect with modern life. The Bright On Buddhism podcast creates a space where scholarly insight meets casual conversation, demystifying topics without losing their profound essence. Whether you're well-versed in Buddhist thought or just beginning to explore spirituality and religion, these episodes offer a grounded and informative perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Bright On Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra - Part 2 - Chapters 6-10 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:35
Bright on Buddhism - Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra - Part 2 - Chapters 6-10Join us as we read and discuss Chapters 1-5 of the Diana Paul translation of the Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda SūtraBarber, Anthony W. (2009), Buddhism in…
Who is Bodhidharma? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:34
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 140 - Who is Bodhidharma? What is his significance to East Asian Buddhism? What are some legends about him?Resources: charya, Raghu (2017), Shanon, Sidharth (ed.), Bodhidharma Retold – A Jour…
What is the fourth moral precept of Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:57
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 139 - What is the fourth moral precept of Buddhism? What is its significance? How have interpretations of it changed over time?Resources: Keown, Damien (2013b), "Buddhist Ethics", in LaFollet…
What are the 3 mysteries in Shingon Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:50
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 138 - What are the 3 mysteries in Shingon Buddhism? What are their significance? How ought we understand it?Resources: Arai, Yusei (1997). Koyasan Shingon Buddhism: A Handbook for Followers,…
Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra - Part 1 - Chapters 1-5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:48:42
Bright on Buddhism - Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra - Part 1 - Chapters 1-5Join us as we read and discuss Chapters 1-5 of the Diana Paul translation of the Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda SūtraBarber, Anthony W. (2009), Buddhism in t…
Who is Bhaisajyaguru? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:27
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 137 - Who is Bhaisajyaguru? What are some stories about him? What is his significance?Resources: The Sūtra on the Original Vows and Merits of the Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata…
What is Gelug Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:14
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 136 - What is Gelug Buddhism? What are some of its similarities and differences to other schools of Buddhism? What is its historical significance?Resources: Schaik, Sam van. Tibet: A History.…
What is Hawaiian Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:47
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 135 - What is Hawaiian Buddhism? What is its history? How does it interact with the tensions surrounding Hawaii's statehood? Resources: https://tricycle.org/magazine/buddhism-hawaii-big-islan…